PCHS Orchestra Class Guide 2015-16Jeffrey Campbell, Director 810-225-5270jcampbell@pinckneypirates.orgDAILY CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS AND ROUTINE1. Cell Phones are not to be taken out or used for any reason in class unless directed by the teacher. 2. Read the board(s) at the front of the room and follow directions written on them. If there is nothing pertaining to the orchestra class on the board, automatically get out and prepare your instrument, pencil, and all of your music and classroom music books for use. 3. All students are required to have a pencil, all music needed for the class, their instrument in good working order, rosin, shoulder rest, or other music accessories required to perform the music of the day.4. Put your instrument together quickly, sit in your assigned seat and warm up sensibly. The concertmaster will give the tuning note. When the director raises his hand, or the concert master steps in front of the podium to give the tuning note, all talking and playing should stop at once and the students should be attentive throughout the class period. If you are not seated with your instrument and tuning at this time, you will be considered late (tardy) for class and points from your participation grade will be deducted. Please refer to your PCHS student handbook for excessive tardiness to class. 5. Gum, candy, and beverages other than water, are not permitted during class.6. Students are expected to keep all classroom space clean, neat and orderly at all times. All students will be provided with a specific place in which to keep their instrument during the day. 7. Students are expected to respect all school property (instruments, equipment, music books, sheet music, etc.) and the property of others in the class. Be responsible for your own instrument and music and do not share you instrument with others. Students are not to play or handle other school or privately owned instruments unless instructed by Mr. Campbell.8. I expect you to do your very best on your instrument and in your behavior at all times. Failure to do so will reflect in your grade or citizenship marks on progress reports or report cards. SCHOOL EQUIPMENT & USAGE FEESA twenty-dollar ($20) yearly usage fee is required of all students regularly using a school owned instrument. Checks for this fee should be made payable to Pinckney Community Schools. This fee covers regular replacement of strings, rosin, repairs not covered by the Marshall Music Maintenance contract, and eventual replacement cost of instruments. If a student uses a school owned instrument, they will be given a contract with specific details regarding the instrument. Both student and a parent/guardian must sign this contract. Careless or accidental damage done in the handling of a school instrument or the defacing of an instrument will result in reimbursement to the school for any and all damages to the instrument while in the care of that student.

MUSICEvery student will be issued their own copy of music being performed in class. You will be given a paper music folder at no cost to keep you music. I highly recommend purchasing a three ring binder for your music. Never mark on any music with ink. Music may be collected at the end of the quarter, semester or school year. Do not throw away copies of music unless instructed to do so by the director. GRADES & RESPONSIBILITYThe following criteria are used to establish an academic grade and responsibility mark for each student throughout the school year.Daily participation and attitude.Written tests, quizzes.Performance quizzes. Performances oputside of the school day.

**********IMPORTANT TO READ THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH****************Missing a performance is the equivalent of missing a major examination. A concert is a “Co-curricular” not “Extra Curricular” event. Therefore, missing a performance may lower the student’s grade for that marking period. The director must receive a written excuse by a parent or guardian when a student misses a performance due to sudden illness, physical incapacity, family emergency, or pre-planned family vacation (one month's notice required) in order to schedule a make up assignment. A student who misses a performance may be given a performance or substantial written assignment assigned by the teacher. The teacher will use a rubric evaluating the quality of tone, intonation, rhythm, technique, and interpretation displayed by the student in the case of a performance assignment. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the director regarding a missed performance and arranging a make up assignment if necessary.AT HOME PRACTICEAll students are expected to practice approximately 20-30 minutes per day as a minimum. Practicing one day per week for 2 hours is not a good way to practice. Consistent daily practice on different materials (sheet music, scales, lesson books, etc.) will yield the very best results and is a lot more fun. PRIVATE LESSONSThe better you can play your instrument, the more fun you will have. You don’t have to have a desire to become a professional to take private lessons. Most students who take them don’t, they just want to have more fun playing. The majority of our very best players take private lessons. If you would like to study privately, refer to the private teacher list on my web page.

COMMUNICATION

Effective communication between parents and teachers is necessary if the student is going to be successful. Please communicate any problems or concerns you have with us as early as possible. All communications after this class guide will be done by phone and or MiStar announcements. Please check MiStar regularly. I also post several items on my directory web page found through the school's internet home page.

PINCKNEY MUSIC BOOSTERS

In order to run an outstanding orchestra program I need your help. There are a number of small jobs that need to be done. Every year I ask for parents to help coordinating orchestra activities. Parent involvement is needed for chaperoning, field trips, the annual Side-By-Side concert, and other performances, fund raisers and music events. The Pinckney Music Boosters meetings take place at 7:00 p.m. in the high school band room on the second Tuesday of every month. The Pinckney Music Boosters website can be found under the Groups category of Yahoo and is listed there under Pinckney Band Boosters.

CONCERT DRESS

The “uniform” of an ensemble in a concert is important to the performers and the audience. A quality visual impression of the ensemble is no small factor in the quality of any performance. Students will wear the following “uniform” for our concerts unless otherwise directed. All school owned uniform parts are the responsibility of the student and parents and must be returned at the end of the school year.

Solo & Ensemble Festival- Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival. Students who earn a Division 1 or 2 will be given an MSBOA approved medal for each event in which they participate (maximum of 2).

Director’s Award- Selected by the director for exceptional contributions to the High School Orchestra during the senior year in the areas of musicianship and leadership.

ACCEPTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITYAfter you have thoroughly read this instructional guide, please sign and return the form at the end of this pack. Keep the guide and the calendar for future reference,

HS Orchestra Calendar for 2015-16

ALL DATES ARE REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS GRADING UNLESS MARKED BY AN *

September

8 Hungry Howie's Pizza Night

15 Pinckney Music Booster Meeting 7:00 p.m. FPAC*

16 DQ Night 4-8 p.m.*

25 All State Audition Application and Fees Due in class to Mr. Campbell *

Please return this signed form with the fifteen dollar ($15) uniform usage/dry cleaning fee and the instrument usage fee ($20 if applicable) by Friday September 11, 2015. PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO PINCKNEY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

I have received the PCHS course syllabus and accept responsibility for all of the information contained in the syllabus. If I have any questions regarding the course syllabus or operation of the course I understand that I am to contact the teacher by phone or email with any question or concern.